DirecTV Spot Beams/Local Channels

Because that's the way they do business. The only workaround, and this changes by the month, is to call them and have them change your locals. They will likely only do this once or twice a year.

Many people simply find it easier to crank up the OTA antenna.

Are you aware that there is an over-the-air tuner that integrates with many DirecTV receivers and DVRs? There is no monthly charge, just a one-time purchase. The local stations end up fully integrated with the DirecTV Guide just as if they are being received from the satellite. You can even use your DVR to record programs: AM21 Tuner

We happen to have DNS service which gets us the NY stations everywhere we go, but we also enjoy watching local news on occasion. This tuner lets us do that without having to change our service address every time we change locations.

Pirate wrote:
Why can't I just simply use the spot beams in my new locations to view local channels? Why does DirecTV keep you locked on to your billing area for local channels? Is there any work around besides getting the deal where you can only get LA or NY locals? Thanks.

Why? I am not kidding when I say that no one knows! You can call Dish and they will change you location once or 20 times per year. They really don't seem to care and there are no rules, regulations or laws that would restrict Dish or DirecTV from doing this. No service can do it automatically (wouldn't that be great!) but a call to Dish or Direct "should" get you your new locals. I can tell you that DirecTV WILL change your locals. Is it easy? Not usually. If you only move locations a few times per year you can call and call and call until you find someone who is capable of thinking outside the box. Just tell them that you are moving to your Winter (Spring, Summer, Fall) home and you need service changed to that zip code.
If you move often or full-time you will likely find the programming from NY and LA to be more convenient and you can use your OTA antenna for the brief periods where local Networks have any value (weather, etc.).

I am buying an Am-21 for the house, for MeTV or something like that, but even for where I am now, outside of Philly, I can pick up a couple of channels on the regular tuner. I can't get a grasp of what or why directrv would not leave the spot beams unlocked or open. If you aren't in the footprint, you can't receive. Must be some anal decision of some form.

From wikipedia:

"Spot beams allow satellites to transmit different data signals using the same frequency. Because satellites have a limited number of frequencies to use, the ability to re-use a frequency for different geographical locations (without different data interfering with each other at the receiver) allows for more local channels to be carried, since the same frequency can be used in several regions."

Pirate wrote:
I am buying an Am-21 for the house, for MeTV or something like that, but even for where I am now, outside of Philly, I can pick up a couple of channels on the regular tuner. I can't get a grasp of what or why directrv would not leave the spot beams unlocked or open. If you aren't in the footprint, you can't receive. Must be some anal decision of some form.

Spot beam issues are not Dish or DirecTV issues. They are technology issues. If you will take a couple of minutes and invent a Dish/DirecTV receiver that will automatically switch spot-beams you will be a zillionare in no time. Between now and then we have to work with the technology we have at hand.

FCC laws say you can only have local channels where you live (billing address). You certainly CAN receive local channels anywhere you are by changing the input to antennae and it costs you nothing.

That's not true. The FCC regulations (not laws) say you cannot receive programming from a time zone earlier than where your account is registered. Dish will just move your registration location (not you billing) making you "legal". DirecTV could do this as well but they are stubborn SOB's and want little or nothing to do with RVers. If you are just as stubborn as DirecTV, you can get them to move your service, it just takes a bit more perseverance.

On the other hand:

US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population

Now that's funny!

I am a frustrated Rv'er when it comes to deciding about getting a satellite. It is true that you have to have your satellite hard wired onto your RV and register it with the FCC in order to have DISH change your receiving location? It seems I get a different answer every time I think I am going to buy a portable satellite. And to those who say use the OTA antenna...there are NO local channels in Key West so if you want tv...satellite is it.

Options:

Get the OTA AM21 box

Deal with it and call or go without

Change your address onces to a NY or LA market area and enjoy DNS on conus without going through any paperwork.